Writer-Director Mike Mills has crafted yet another genuine personal story to the screen in "20th Century Women". Mills who directed "Beginners" about his relationship with his gay father, now turns to women; one specifically being his mom. The film is set in 1979. Annette Benign stars as Dorothea Fields, a free-thinking single mother of a 15-year-old teen named Jamie. Dorothea is having a bit of a rocky time in raising Jamie, so he asks her bohemian punky tenant Abbie and Jamie's childhood female friend Julie to help raise Jamie. So oh oh oh Jamie's crying!! Sorry Van Halen. Actually, Jamie is not crying so much and takes the opportunity to reinvent himself and be more risqué in his choices; so it eventually becomes a Jamie "coming of age" experience. Mills' personal touch on his direction and scribe of the film was tender but a few times it did its bit of dragging; but not enough to hurt the film's overall narrative. Bening was sensational as Dorothea. Elle Fanning continues her hot young streak with a crafty performance as Julie. Billy Crudup was solid as Dorothea's male tenant William. But the 20th century woman which was the great thespian queen of the bunch was Greta Gerwig for her standout performance as Abbie. So go and hit on those "20th Century Women". **** Good
Review of 20th Century Women
